Home-based: MHPSS Consultant

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) provides humanitarian aid worldwide. It supports people who have fallen victim of natural disasters, war and displacement and who are not able to cope on their own in the emergency situation they find themselves in. Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH), in collaboration with its partner Support to Life (STL), provides support to the national partners in all neighboring countries hosting refugees from Ukraine, providing humanitarian assistance. Since March 2022, we have been actively responding to the needs of refugees affected by the war in Ukraine. Supporting 18 partners in Poland, Moldova, Romania, Czech Republic and Slovakia. We are looking for a technical expert with a strong track-record mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) programmes and preferably experience and knowledge in protection sector to join our regional refugee response team for Ukraine crisis. As our new technical expert, you will play a key role in supporting our partners delivering MHPSS to affected populations in the region including Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, Romania, Czech Republic and Slovakia. To be hired by Support to Life, it is a consultancy position initially for 6 months with a possibility of extension. The position is home-based with frequent travel to those countries. Expected date of start is 20 March 2023.

Responsibilities: 

• Oversee and provide technical guidance to our partners on the implementation of MHPSS related activities, ensuring that project deliverables and activities are of high quality
• Provide MHPSS-related trainings to partner staff and their sub-partners
• Provide technical support to partners’ MHPSS staff of including guidelines, tools and guidance on planning and implementation of MHPSS activities
• Support project development process with MHPSS expertise and programme design including project objectives, indicators and targets
• Support monitoring and evaluation of MHPSS component of partner projects and beneficiary identification/prioritisation including developing M&E tools
• Support design, planning and analysis of needs assessments regarding MHPSS-related needs
• Map and categorise existing partner activities related to MHPSS according to IASC MHPSS pyramid and international guidelines
• Develop strategy and tools for MHPSS in emergencies for refugee response
• Participate in MHPSS coordination mechanisms and engage with multiple stakeholders from the global MHPSS community
• When necessary provide technical and programmatic support to other protection related issues and training needs

Experience and Skills: 

• University degree in mental health and/or psychology, preferably clinical psychology
• Minimum 5 years of work experience in the field of mental health and psychosocial support and in humanitarian contexts including directly working with women and children
• Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing MHPSS programmes, with a strong understanding of protection issues linked to MHPSS programmes
• Demonstrated experience in humanitarian protection, specific experience in child protection or GBV is advantage
• Proven knowledge of IASC guidelines for mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings and Sphere standards, protection and child protection standards
• Strong technical skills and knowledge about the broad spectrum of methodologies and approaches to MHPSS programmes
• Practical experience in training and/or facilitation of groups and strong participatory facilitation skills
• Excellent writing skills and demonstrated skills in developing training curriculums and manuals that are adapted to local contexts and target audiences
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively, including the ability to advocate for and explain difficult psychosocial issues
• Advanced knowledge of written English is required; knowledge of Ukrainian is an advantage
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office package

How to Apply: 

Kindly send your CV, application letter with your consultancy rate as well as your questions to our Protection and Safeguarding Technical Coordinator Hatem Efe: hefe@hayatadestek.org no later than 5 March 2023.